MB about to lose a parent -

[Anonymous]

My MB is about to lose her dad. She does not have family close by. I want to help her so badly but I do not know how to. I have been asking her like every two days how her dad is progressing but I do not want to over do it. I also offered to accompany her to visit her dad in hospital because I did not want her to do the long drive alone incase she received bad news on her way. Is there something more you think I can do? Thanks

[Hydro]

I'm not so good with emotions but I'm a great caretaker (it seems contradictory but it works) so if I were in that situation, I would tell MB that I'm free to watch the kid(s) whenever she needs me even if it's just so she can call her sister or take a nap. I'd offer to pick up take out for the family and ask if there are any extra chores/errands I can do for her while she's going through this hard time.
She's lucky to have you OP!

[Anonymous]

You sound like a great asset to that family. I think just keep up what you're doing and like pp said, offer to take care of the kids or do extra chores in case she needs it. You can even say "I want to help you however I can but I don't know what I can do. I just want you to know that I'm happy to watch the kids a little longer or do whatever to help you around the house if you need, take you to visit your dad, etc."

[Anonymous]

Hydro has good advice - offering to watch kids when needed and picking up food for the family would help. You sound like a great nanny and it's nice that your employer can rely on you in this difficult time.

[Anonymous]

A little different, but when my MB was getting towards the end of her second pregnancy, I told her she could call me to come over any time, even in the middle of the night if she needed to go to the hospital. Obviously only make an offer you can fulfill, but it can bring some peace of mind in a difficult situation.

[Anonymous]

I think you have to be careful in offering all this free time. I am not a nanny but you are an employee not her friend or a blood relative and you should be wary of being used far beyond what you intend or you may end up with regretting your offer.

[Anonymous]

don't go overboard.

do what you usually do, on top of a little extra if asked, or if you feel it's necessary

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for your input. I did not want to start a new thread regarding this issue but I am wondering if it's okay to accept extra pay to watch the kids overnights when the parents travel for funeral (out of the country). MB indicated that she would pay me extra but I didn't respond. They might require me to work full weekend too. I am just wondering what is reasonable and human. When I lost my sister, my former boss who I had worked for for only 2 months told me to take as many days as I felt I needed to she would pay me. She also contributed 200 dollars towards funeral arrangements.

[Anonymous]

Yes it is okay to accept extra pay to watch the kids overnight. In fact I wouldn't watch the kids overnight with out extra pay.... "hey might require me to work full weekend too. I am just wondering what is reasonable and human." - In terms of pay, as in how much should you ask for? Or in terms of how much you should work?

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP, in terms of what I should charge for the entire weekend...